After a very informative and
friendly talk at the Mexican Embassy, I came to understand that 1. walking in the Yucatan
in the hot season (March-November) is impossible. 2. Moreover, misunderstandings could be
raised about the purpose of the Camino. Obviously, in no way whatsoever we want to
interfere with local people's interests or violate their sensitivities. The opposite is
true. The reason for designing the Camino is to contribute to the wellbeing of everybody
involved. We created the idea, while leaving the practicalities to the local population.
We won't interfere with anything. On the contrary, by bringing foreigners to Mexico we
contribute to the prosperity of the country. These two circumstances, however, made us
decide to doing first thorough research, both locally and with regard to the attitude of
the Mexican government. In order to have peace of mind we want to be sure, that we are
welcome. So, our idea is still in its first stage. People who already want to walk the
trail are obviously free to do so. The text in the middle describes the project AS IF it
were already implemented. Which - as you know now - isn't (yet) the case. In spring 2009
we have to be able to tell you more about our progress.
PILGRIMCARE 2004 CAMINO DE
COMPOSTELA, SPAIN
BECAUSE OF THE INSTABLE e.g. INSECURE SITUATION IN MEXICO AT THE
MOMENT PHYSICAL PILGRIMAGE IS DISCOURAGED. AS A COMPENSATION WE INVITE YOU TO DO IT THE
VIRTUAL WAY BY VISITING OUR "GREEN MAN IN MEXICO"
PHOTO PAGES
Green Man in Mexico 1
Green Man in Mexico 2
Green Man in Mexico 3
Green Man in Mexico 4
Green Man in Mexico 5
Green Man in Mexico 6 |
 Meteor impact in
Yucatan, about 64 million years ago, the cause for the dinosaurs to become extinct |
In the summer of 2004 we organized PilgrimCare along
the Camino de Compostela, Spain. It consisted of treating - for free - pain symptoms
pilgrims received from walking down the Pyrenean mountains. We did it through Chinese Jade Stone Therapy,
one of the most effective treatments available. It was a great event. To such an extent,
that we kept dreaming of doing it again. We never expected to initiate a Camino ourselves,
though. Nor that it would be in an absolute wonderful country: Yucatan, Mexico. |
 The
seaside Temple of Tulum,
begin station of the Camino |
 |
Valladolid street |
|
 Chichen
Itza Temple at the Summer Solstice |
The modern world has manoeuvered itself to a point
of inner and outer confusion. It has entered a dead end with no escape whatsoever. Maya
Cosmology on the other hand, surprisingly, includes major spiritual concepts, that happen
to be highly relevant to the world of today. Like the Cosmic Mother as the Origin of all,
death and rebirth as the dominating forces of life; the concept of cyclic time; the
Gods/Priests/Kings as "Green Men", born out the Mother's Womb; the alignment of
Cosmic and Earthly processes, its closeness to nature and much more.... |
 Ballcourt Chichen Itza
|
|
Maya village |
|
| 
Maya handicrafts |
We have chosen "Death and Rebirth" - RENEWAL
- as the most appropriate motto for this our initiative. First of all, Yucatan was the
scene of the heaviest meteor impact in history, truly the end of an epoch and the start of
a new. Aren't we in a similar situation, rightnow? We also have to abandon many of our
engrained conditionings ("death") in order to save the planet. It is only
possible through the birth of a New Self ("rebirth"), one that is willing to
become part of the Whole, once again. "Death and Rebirth" is the central theme
of Maya Cosmology. It is our guide on the Path of Regeneration. On the Camino many links
refer to it. Symbolism vary from the Cosmic Womb steles, ballcourts, temple ornaments to
Maya (healing) ceremonies, caves, cenotes etc. etc. |
Maya handicrafts |
|
Death-Rebirth mask
(copy from the original from Tikal)
orders@candlelightcollection.com |
|
| 
Merida on Sunday
|
In Spanish there are two words for "way":
Ruta and Camino. The first stands for a physical distance. Ruta Maya means a concrete
route between monuments, villages and people. Camino, on the other hand, combines a
walking trail with the inner quest. It means that while walking you resonate with both the
inner and the outer world. Camino de la Esperanza is the first MesoAmerican international
spiritual event that directly links to world concerns. Its three pillars are Spirituality,
Health and the Ecology. It is referring to the deep inner crisis people are in nowadays
("who am I?", "What is the meaning of life?"), the ever-worsening
health-situation (large scale increase of chronic disease) and the deteriorating
environment (climate crisis, pollution and their consequences) |
 Cenote |
|
 Maya
religious ceremony |
|
 Kabah
|
As said above, the Camino focusses on Spirituality, Health and
Ecology. Aren't people with depression, anxiety, stress and burn-out*
running into the millions nowadays? Rather than going to a (expensive) clinic, walking the
Camino will beat everything. The same is true for all kinds of chronic disorders**. The
aim is to experience inner growth and healing, inspired by Maya teaching, put into
practice through walking on a pre-fixed route along Maya monuments, nature reserves,
cities, museums, villages, cenotes, caves, and more ruins. Every participant receives a
guidebook with the details. In order to be optimally receptive the former are offered -
before they start walking - a spiritual retreat, in which - through the Universal Way - they train themselves in
awareness, personal integration (spiritually, psychologically, medically), heaven &
earth exercises and more. Part of them are designed to put into practice during the
walking the Camino. Additionally, health consultations are given***. PS. The training is
optional. Those who want to walk the trail without are - obviously - completely free to do
so! * See "Stress, burn-out & regeneration"
** www.vitalworld.org
*** See sideline for the latest information |
 Sayil |
|
Map of Camino de
Esperanza
Tulum, Coba, Valladolid,
Chichen Itza, Izamal, Merida, the Puuc Region (a.o. Uxmal, Labna, Kabah, Sayil) and the
Loltun cave |
|
| 
Frangipani-sacred
flower
|
Pilgrims will be walking between 15-20 km a day.
The route itself includes about 350 km in total. That means, that most participants will
achieve this in about 24 days. Add the extra visits to the cities, the archeological sites
and relaxation days to it and a fully accomplished Camino will take about 30 days. It is
comparable to the schedule of the Camino de Compostela, Spain |
 Uxmal Chak
|
|
 Uxmal map |
|
| 
Uxmal Pyramid of Old Woman
|
During the route pilgrims decide themselves how
many kilometres they want to cover every day. The Camino organisation will do everything
to provide the participants with appropriate addresses of accomodation of all kinds,
without preference on the side of the organization. It will give the pilgrim the
opportunity to experience all the wonders of Maya/Mexican hospitality. The catering will
be accordingly, giving the pilgrim optimal enjoyment of the local cuisine. The ones who
(also) walk for health reasons may prefer a vegetarian (or vegan) regime. Local
restaurants will be instructed to offer an attractive menu. With regard to personal safety
various factors are decisive. First of all, Yucatan is one of the safest areas in Mexico.
Moreover, it will help when the Camino gains the reputation of a "sacred" route,
protected by the local population, while the real security issues, obviously, will be
taken care of by the Mexican police |
Uxmal nunnery |
|
 Labna Arch |
|
 Loltun Caves
|
Last but not least has to be emphasized that the
Camino organization cherishes non-commercial principles. On the other hand, local vendors,
shops, restaurants, B&B, hotels of all categories (a.o. haciendas) will all benefit
from the pilgrims. The organization welcomes this. Especially, the poor and not very rich
businesses should receive substantial benefits. It is certainly complying with the
attitude and wishes of the participants. The other way round the Camino organization hopes
for an ongoing goodwill and sympathy from local people, especially from those who benefit
most. As a sign of gratitude we will aim at doing (free) health programmes for the local
population, varying from a healthy lifestyle project to treating pain through our unique
Chinese Jade Stone Therapy |
 Loltun Caves, the Maya Underworld
|
|
 Excursion: Calakmul |
|
 Ticul, end station of the Camino |
Summarizing: recently we have succesfully linked
three initiatives to be established in the wonderful Yucatan county of Mexico: The Maya
Calendar 2012 Proclamation, The Big Event and the Camino de la Esperanza.* These
international events all fertilize each other. F.i. pilgrims before 2012 will walk in
great expectation about World Transformation. After 2012 they might ponder about the ways
this Transformation has to be acheived. In both case people will benefit from our Big
Event, the latter giving them a great chance to work on their spiritual growth, their
personal integration and their compassion with all and everything. Those who - after the
Camino - want to continue their commitment will be offered the opportunity to train
themselves in Spiritual Service, Health Service and Community Service. In order to achieve
this we will extend our Big Event into the International "Transformatorium"
Training Center * See: Index sideline |
|
|
MayaCalendar 2012 Proclamation
Our Big Event
Camino de la Esperanza
International Training Center "Tansformatorium"
Prevention, healthy lifestyle and pain treatments program for local people
www.vitalworld.org |
|
* Read: John Major Jenkins "Maya
Cosmogenesis 2012", 1998, Bear & Company
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